Lyra knelt beside Auryn's body, her hands hovering over the wound in his chest. The bond was non-existent. She couldn't really feel him as if his existence was stretched beyond thin.
She didn't dare admit he was dead.
Borin's hand rested on the hilt of his axe. Behind him, soldiers had formed a perimeter with weapons half-drawn.
The tension was thick as Sire Saul positioned his glowing rapier ready to spring into action in the next moment.
And in the center of it all stood Nika, covered in Auryn's blood, Lightbane still in his hand. His eyes moved as if his mind was processing something at hyper speed.
Lyra noticed immediately that something about the man didn't fit. Nika wasn't preparing to fight back. He had no defensive stance.
There was no intent coming from his posture. Just a man standing still, waiting to receive whatever came next.
Hoping that fate shifted in his favor while doubt plagued his mind.
